I just got back from visiting the first art fairs of the season, the Eastside Millennium Art Festival and the 57th Street Art Fair, which, like Memorial Day, are a sure sign of the unofficial beginning of summer in Chicago. I was happy to see so many artists I have mentioned here before, including Prairie Fire Glass, Tim McWilliams, and Cheryl Gail Toh. There were also several new artists I'm pleased to introduce you to.
I am still recovering from the sensory overload that is Artropolis. For the past 3 days, I've been looking at art until I just can't look anymore. This time I decided to bring my camera along. Here are some of the things I saw.
And I'm really happy that my neighbors from The Nicole Villeneuve Gallery made their debut at the Next show this year.
One of the highlights of the Next show was this dramatic little happening, which was kind of like the opposite of an auction, or perhaps an auction with consequences. If no one in the audience paid to "rescue" the artwork, it was destroyed by members of Team Art! in the manner by which the artist chose. In this video, a kitschy purple poodle painting gets the axe:
I'm doing a little spring cleaning as I move more items to my studio. I've come across some great art supplies that I am not using and have decided to sell them on Etsy.
A feather pen for writing purple prose, calligraphy, or drawing dramatically.
A canvas pouch that holds 18 paintbrushes, perfect for commuting art students and itinerant painters.
A folding wooden palette to go with them.
And last but not least, series 2 of my mini paintings are for sale. So now, if you can't make it to my studio, you can still buy one. Get one for your mom for Mother's day. They're $10 each.